Tensions flared in Bulgaria’s National Assembly as Yavor Bozhankov, a member of parliament, vehemently defended his reputation against accusations of aligning wiht controversial figure Delyan Peevski.
Bozhankov, known for his political maneuvering and party affiliations, took to the floor to address what he perceived as a personal attack by Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov. Denkov had publicly stated that Bozhankov had directly voted for Peevski, a claim that Bozhankov vehemently denied.
“I accept with pain what I heard that I voted directly for Delyan Peevski, after all the arguments I put forward, after the hours of conversations, even personal ones, I received this blow against myself,” Bozhankov declared. “I’m sad at this point, but how did we get to this situation?”
Bozhankov went on to highlight the collective responsibility of the parliament in appointing controversial figures like Valeri Glavchev as head of the Audit Chamber. He argued that pointing fingers at individuals was unproductive when the entire body had participated in such decisions.
“If we point out the biggest evil in the face of Mr. Glavchev – who voted for Glavchev to become the head of the Audit Chamber? We. It was a collective decision, I participated in it. But when one looks to another for responsibility, let him look to himself. Who wrote the rules so that Glavchev could be acting prime minister and accepted them? We did that,” bozhankov stated.
Bozhankov, who has shifted allegiances between political parties, explained his involvement in the formation of a “government for 9 months.” he had initially advocated for an expert cabinet but was outvoted, leading to the formation of a political cabinet that included Peevski.
“Others prevailed and formed a political cabinet with Borisov. The bonus to this cabinet was Delyan Peevski. And not only the constitution, in the morning, when I looked for my colleagues for a business conversation, I found them at leadership meetings… with delyan Peevski,” Bozhankov revealed. “And you attribute Delyan Peevski to me? I will not let this happen again!”
Denkov, in response, refuted Bozhankov’s claims of negotiations between his party, PP-DB, and the nationalist “Vazrazhdane” party. He also strongly denied accusations that PP-DB was pro-Russian.
“in turn, Nikolay Denkov denied that PP-DB had held negotiations with ‘Vazrazhdane’. at the beginning of his speech, Bozhankov stated that ‘negotiations with Vazrazhdane for a cabinet have been held for two months.’ In response to Bozhankov, Denkov stated that he had no right to suggest that PP-DB was a pro-Russian party.”
## Bulgarian MP Defiantly Denies Ties to Controversial Figure
**Sofia, Bulgaria** – tensions reached a boiling point in the Bulgarian National Assembly yesterday as yavor Bozhankov, a member of parliament, forcefully refuted accusations linking him to Delyan Peevski, a controversial businessman and media mogul. the fiery exchange highlighted the deep political divisions within bulgaria and fueled concerns about the influence of oligarchs in the country’s political landscape.
**World Today News** sat down with **Dr. Maria Ivanova**, a leading political analyst specializing in Bulgarian politics, to gain insight into this escalating situation.
**WTN:** Dr. Ivanova, can you shed light on the nature of the accusations leveled against MP Bozhankov and the broader context surrounding Delyan Peevski?
**Dr. Ivanova:** the accusations stem from alleged meetings and dealings between Bozhankov and Peevski, fueling speculation about a possible political alliance. Peevski is a highly polarizing figure in Bulgaria. He’s amassed considerable wealth through his media empire and other businesses, sparking accusations of corruption and undue influence over Bulgarian politics and media.
**WTN:** Bozhankov’s response in the National Assembly was notably defensive. How meaningful is this incident in terms of the Bulgarian political landscape?
**Dr.Ivanova:** This incident underscores the deep fissures within Bulgarian society. Peevski’s alleged influence is a constant source of contention, with some viewing him as a symbol of oligarchic control and others as a triumphant businessman. Bozhankov’s vehement denial, while expected, further highlights the complex web of political and economic interests at play.
**WTN:** What are the potential implications of these accusations for both bozhankov and Bulgarian politics in general?
**Dr. Ivanova:** This situation could damage Bozhankov’s political career, depending on the evidence presented and public perception. More broadly, it reignites the debate about openness and accountability within Bulgarian politics. The question of whether oligarchs wield excessive influence remains a pressing concern for many Bulgarians.
**WTN:** Looking ahead, what are the key developments to watch for in this unfolding story?
**Dr. Ivanova:** We need to see if any concrete evidence emerges to substantiate the accusations against Bozhankov. The public will be closely scrutinizing his actions and any potential connections to Peevski.
This incident could also have implications for the upcoming elections, galvanizing voters who are concerned about corruption and oligarchic influence.
**WTN:** Thank you, Dr. Ivanova, for providing your insightful outlook on this complex and evolving situation.